LaVerna Myrl (Gerdt) Bailey

LaVerna Myrl Gerdt Bailey moved to her heavenly home on June 17, 2018. She died at Heritage House nursing home in Carlinville, surrounded by family. LaVerna was born in St. Louis, MO, on February 19, 1928, the daughter of Hulda Wagonfelt and Louis Gerdt. She celebrated her 90th birthday this year.

LaVerna graduated from Medora Township High School in 1946. On January 18, 1947 in Carrollton, IL, she married Donald Clinton Bailey, with whom she shared the next 53 years. They raised four sons: Clinton (Kathy) of Greenfield, Gary (Tina) of Alton, Robert of Alton/Greenfield, and Jeff Eveland of Jacksonville. LaVerna is survived by her sons, by grandchildren Gina Suttles, Eric Bailey, Kaye Short, Josh Bailey, Danny Bailey, Ross Bailey, Brian Bailey, Celeste Crowell, Natalie Moran, Sarah Bailey, Matt Eveland, and Mandy Eveland. She is also survived by twenty great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Barb Bailey and Marla Bailey; and one brother, Glenn (Margaret) Gerdt of St. Peters, MO.

LaVerna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant son, Ronald Dean; a brother, Dale Gerdt; and daughter-in-law Chris Bailey.

LaVerna was the quintessential homemaker who excelled as a seamstress and baker. She loved hosting family gatherings, especially the Easter Saturday sourdough pancake brunch and the autumn fish fry. She loved raising flowers and was something of a naturalist, cultivating wild flowers near her home. She enjoyed the Senior potluck lunches in Greenfield and was known for her creative dishes. She also was active with the Extension Ladies group in Macoupin County and with her quilter gals. LaVerna was proud of her quilting and, in fact, was awarded two best-of-show and eight other ribbons on her quilts at the Greene County fair on the Saturday evening before her death on Sunday. She often helped with her husband’s mail delivery business. LaVerna was an active member of Faith Bible Church for over fifteen years.

Visitation will be from 9 am until time of funeral service at 11 am, Friday, June 22, at the Shields-Bishop Funeral Home in Greenfield.  Burial will follow at the Oak Wood Cemetery north of Greenfield. Memorials may be made to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis for pediatric heart disease research or to the American Lung Association. Online condolences can be left at shields-bishopfh.com

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